You’ve been collecting vintage magazines and books since you were a kid. Where do you buy them? How did you use the stash back then?
Sammy Slabbinck:I mostly buy my magazines and books at yard sales and secondhand shops. Something about these magazines always appealed to me; these were almost like time documents. You could sort of go back in time. I really didn’t do a lot with them, mostly just browsing. I did make a lot of music compilations on CD and cassette at that time, and I would use some of those found images as covers.
TMN:There’s subtle social commentary in each piece, and it’s one of the things that drew me to your work. Women feature prominently. “Free the nipple” and “Great escape” are just a couple of the ones that stand out. Do you consider yourself a feminist?
SS:I wouldn’t really consider myself a feminist. I just like to use these vintage images that come out of nude magazines. A lot of these magazines were kind of sleazy (and still are), but if you take an image out of that context and place it in a new setting, it can get a completely new meaning and feel. And in doing so, you can give the image in question back some dignity. It’s not just about the nude aspect any more; it becomes part of something bigger, and the lady in question is put on some sort of pedestal.
TMN:What role does humor play in your work?
SS:I really like to play around with humor. Being able to make somebody laugh out loud with an image I created is the best compliment. I’ve been making a lot of stop-motion animations on Vine lately, and humor also plays a huge role.
TMN:Just checked out those Vines! They look great. I see you’re using the magazine cutouts there as well.
SS:More than a year ago, I read a review of the Vine app, with some examples, and I really saw the potential. Making these collages, I work with a lot of found imagery, so it got me thinking: How could I animate some of these images, coming up with mini-stories? I’ve made over 300 vines to date and had the chance to make some branded vines as well. It’s a really fun and interesting addition to my other work.
TMN:When was the last time you were surprised?
SS:When making collages you can sometimes have these creative surprises. Two images that have no relation to each other whatsoever suddenly blend and get a new meaning and life. Those are really nice moments, so I am always on the lookout for those kinds of surprises.
TMN:Are there other artists who create collages whose work you particularly enjoy?
SS:There are a lot of good collage artists out there. Naming them all would be too difficult. I love browsing through Tumblr or Instagram to discover new works and artists that burst with creative potential.
